The Captain recommends -

03/12/2004

On buying votes

Here's an interesting idea: Why not improve voter turnout and thereby democracy by just paying voters money for their participation?

Even though the outright purchase of votes is only a marginal stepup from generally accepted practice in most democratic countries where politicians are all about buying in to the interests of their respective clientèle, and thereby may be welcomed for its additional transparency, I think the idea is ludicrous. A vote must not be seen as a product or service up for the highest bidder - it is the statement of an individual's political will and preference, which may or may not be in line with the individual's economic interest. Linking those two distinct areas is fundamentally wrong.